Watch stem intermediate setting position with functions determined by whether intermediate position was achieved by pushing stem in or pulling stem out

ABSTRACT

The winding stem of a timepiece is movable axially between a pushed-in position, an intermediate position and a pulled-out position. The timepiece has two auxiliary indicating members, for example a date ring and a day-star wheel, which are operatively connected with the stem for actuation thereof by rotation of the stem in the intermediate position. When the stem is pulled out from the pushed-in position to the intermediate position, it is connected to the date ring which can be set in both directions, and when the stem is pushed in from the pulled-out position to the intermediate position it is connected to the day-star wheel which can also be set in both directions.

United States Patent Aeschmann WATCH STEM INTERMEDIATE SETTING POSITIONWITH FUNCTIONS DETERMINED BY WHETHER INTERMEDIATE POSITION WAS ACHIEVEDBY PUSI-IING STEM IN OR PULLING STEM OUT [75] Inventor: Marc Aeschmann,Geneva,

Switzerland [73] Assignee: Ebauches S.A., Switzerland [22] Filed: July29, 1974 [21] Appl. No: 492,855

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 2, [973 Switzerland 11263/73July 9. 1974 Switzerland 9409/74 July 9. 1974 Switzerland 9410/74 [52]US. Cl. 58/575; 58/58; 58/68 [51] Int. Cl. G04b 23/12; GO4b 19/24; G04b27/04 [58] Field of Search 58/575, 58, 68, 85.5

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.785.529 3/]957 Haerri58/68 X June 24, 1975 3.779000 12/1973 Schmid ..53/58 PrimaryExaminer-George H. Miller, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert E. Burns;Emmanuel J. Lobato; Bruce L. Adams [57] ABSTRACT The winding stem of atimepiece is movable axially between 3 pushed-in position, anintermediate position and a pulled-out position. The timepiece has twoauxiliary indicating members, for example a date ring and a day-starwheel, which are operatively connected with the stem for actuationthereof by rotation of the stem in the intermediate position. When thestem is pulled out from the pushed-in position to the intermediateposition, it is connected to the date ring which can be set in bothdirections, and when the stem is pushed in from the pulled-out positionto the intermediate position it is connected to the day-star wheel whichcan also be set in both directions.

13 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDJUN24I915 3 90 77 SHEET 1 FIG.2

SHEET PATENTED Jun 2 4 ms PATENTED Jul 2 4 ms SHEET WATCH STEMINTERMEDIATE SETTING POSITION WITH FUNCTIONS DETERMINED BY WHETHERINTERMEDIATE POSITION WAS ACHIEVED BY PUSIIING STEM IN OR PULLING STEMOUT The invention relates to timepieces of the type including a devicefor setting the indications of a plurality of indicating members, inparticular supplementary in dicating members such as a date ring, aday-star wheel, an hour indicator the angular position of which may bechanged by one hour upon passing from one time zone to the next, and analarm-setting indicator.

Numerous timepieces including devices of this type are known, generallyincluding an actuating stem, such as the hour-setting and winding stem,which can be placed in three discrete axial positions one of which,usually the intermediate position, is reserved for the setting ofsupplementary indicating member. The setting of two indicating membersin the intermediate position has already been proposed by arranging forthe stem to be operatively connected with a first member when the stemis turned is one direction and with a second member when the stem isturned in the other direction. This arrangement however has thedrawbacks that operation is difficult as the users tend to frequentlyturn the stem in the wrong direction, and the correction isunidirectional so that in the event of such an error the user must thencontinue to advance the indicating member right around through all ofthe indications in order to place the member back in its initial correctposition.

It has also been proposed to provide a device in which the actuatingstem has four discrete axial positions, one intermediate position beingreserved for setting a first indicating member and the secondintermediate position for setting another member. These devices have thedrawback of requiring a large axial displacement of the stem which, forwaterproof watches, necessitates the use of long winding crowns whichare generally inaesthetic and for which it is difficult to ensurewater-tightness. Moreover, in view of the large displacement of thestem, ope ration of the associated pullout piece or setting leverusually involves difficulties.

An object of the invention is to provide a timepiece with anindicator-setting device which avoids the stated drawbacks, and whichmore particularly enables the selective control of a bi-directionalsetting of two indicating members in a single intermediate axialposition of the stem.

The invention concerns a timepiece including a plurality of indicatingmembers and a device for setting the indications of said members, saiddevice comprising a manually operable rotatable and axially displaceableactuating stem, and means for defining three discrete axial positions ofthe stem namely a pushed-in position, an intermediate position in whichthe stem is operatively connected with at least one indicating memberfor actuation thereof by rotation of the stem, and a pulled-outposition.

In such a timepiece, the invention provides the improvement comprisingmeans for selectively operatively connecting said stem in saidintermediate position with a first indicating member in response topulling out of the stem from the pushed-in position to the intermediateposition and with a second indicating member in response to pushing inof the stem from the pulled-out position to the intermediate position.

Three embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way ofexample, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a partial plan view of a first embodiment of timepiece with anactuating stem in a pushed-in posi tion;

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the first embodiment with the stem inan intermediate position obtained by pulling it out from the position ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial plan view of the first embodiment with the stem in apulled-out timesetting position;

FIG. 4 is a partial plan view of the first embodiment with the stem inthe intermediate position obtained by pushing it in from the position ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-section taken along line V--V of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a partial rear plan view of a second embodiment of timepiece;

FIG. 7 is a partial front plan view of the second embodiment with theactuating stem in the intermediate position obtained by pulling it outfrom the pushed-in position which is indicated in dotted-dashed lines;

FIG. 8 is a similar view of the second embodiment but with the stem inthe intermediate position obtained by pushing it in from the pulled-outposition which is indicated in dotted-dashed lines;

FIG. 9 is a partial plan view of a third embodiment of timepiece withthe actuating stem in the intermediate position obtained by pushing itin from the pulledout position; and

FIG. I0 is a cross-section taken alone line X--X of FIG. 9.

For the sake of clarity in the drawings some parts and/or referencenumerals not relevant to the position of the device shown in anyparticular figure have been omitted.

The timepiece partially shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 includes a correction orsetting device comprising an actuating and winding stem 1 provided withan external manually actuable crown, not shown. Stem 1 is provided witha groove 2 slidably receiving a stud 3 of a setting lever 4, pivotallymounted about a pivot 5. The lever 4 carries a pin 6 which engages inany one of three recesses 8, 9, 10 (FIG. 2) in a check spring 11 todefine three distinct angular positions of lever 4 corresponding tothree discrete axial positions of stem 1, namely a pushed-in position(FIG. I) when pin 6 is in recess 8, an intermediate position when pin 6is in recess 9 (FIGS. 2 and 4) and a pulled-out position when pin 6 isin recess 10.

Lever 4 also has a heel l2 cooperating with a camprofiled upper part ofa lever 13 pivotally mounted at one end about a pivot 14 and having afree end 15 which engages in the groove 16 of a clutch pinion 24. Thisclutch pinion 24 is slidably keyed on stem I and, according to its axialposition, engages either by means of a Brequet toothing with a windingpinion l7 freely rotatably mounted on stem 1 or, by means of a contratetoothing, with a pinion 23.

In the pushed-in position of stem 1 shown in FIG. 1, the Breguettoothing of clutch pinion 24 meshes with winding pinion 17. In theintermediate and pulled-out positions of stem 1, shown in FIGS. 2 and 4,and FIG. 3 respectively, the contrate toothing of clutch pinion 24meshes with pinion 23. This pinion 23 is rotatably mounted on a fixedarbor 23a screwed in the bottom plate 38 (FIG. 5) of the timepiecemovement.

The setting lever 4 also controls the movement of another lever 21pivotally mounted about arbor 23a and carrying a toothed wheel 22 whichpermanently meshes with pinion 23. This movement is produced by means ofa pin 18 on the heel 12 of lever 4, this pin acting against a face 210of lever 21 when the stem 1 is withdrawn to the pulled-out position,shown in FIG. 3, to bring the lever 21 to a position in which wheel 22meshes with a wheel 33 in the dial train of the timepiece. The returnmovement oflever 21 is limited by an abutment 20 fixed on the bottomplate and against which the lever 21 is biased by a spring 29 in thepushed-in and intermediate positions of stem I. In this rest position oflever 21, wheel 22 meshes on the one hand with pinion 23 and on theother hand with a correction wheel 26. This wheel 26 is mounted to beable to move along an arcuate path, centred about the location of theaxis of wheel 22 when lever 21 is in its rest position, between a firstposition (FIG. 2) meshing with a date-ring 27 and a second position(FIG. 4) meshing with a gear train 34, 35 of a day-star 28.

To this end, wheel 26 is rotatably mounted on an arbor 30 fixed on alower end of a rod 31 and guided in an arcuate slot 37 centred about thelocation of the axis of wheel 22 when the lever 21 is in the restposition. Movement of rod 31 is controlled by pin 6 of lever 4 whichpenetrates in an elongated opening 32 in the upper end of rod 31. Ajumper spring 36 cooperates with the arbor 30 to hold the rod 3] in itsupper or lower position.

In operation, in the pushed-in position of stem 1 shown in FIG. 1, thepin 6 of lever 4 is in contact with the upper end of opening 32, and thecorrection wheel 26 is in mesh with the date ring 27 (see FIG. 2). Theclutch pinion 24 does not engage with pinion 23, but with winding pinion17 so that when the stem 1 is turned in a given direction the mainspringof the timepiece is wound by the intermediary of pinion 17.

In the intermediate position (FIG. 2) of stem 1 obtained by pulling itout, the position of lever 21 has not changed but clutch pinion 24 hascome to mesh with pinion 23 which, via wheel 22 and correction wheel 26,is operatively connected with the date ring 27 so that when stem 1 isturned, in either direction, the displayed date is modified. Although inthe drawings, wheel 26 is shown as meshing with ring 27, any othersuitable transmission means could be employed. In this intermediateposition, the pin 6 has moved along opening 32 without moving rod 31.

In the pulled-out position of stem 1 shown in FIG. 3, the lever 21driven by pin 18 of lever 4 pivots against the action of spring 29 todisengage wheel 22 from correction wheel 26 and bring it into mesh withdial-train wheel 33 so that stem 1 can be turned to set the timedisplayed.

During the movement to the pulled-out position, the pin 6 of lever 4comes to contact the lower end of opening 32 and rod 3] is then moveddownwardly (looking at the drawings) to move correction wheel 26 intomesh with wheel 34 driving wheel 35 which carries two diametricallyopposed protruding arms for engaging with and setting the day-star 28,the arbor 30 of rod 31 being guided along arcuate slot 37 and rod 31being held in this position by spring 36.

When stem I is pushed back into the intermediate position (FIG. 4),lever 21 moves back to its rest position against abutment 20, but wheel26 remains in mesh with wheel 34 since the pin 6 moves along opening 32until it comes to contact the upper end thereof, this involving only aslight pivotal movement of rod 3|. As a result of this movement of lever21, wheel 22 moves out of engagement with wheel 33 and comes to meshwith the correction wheel 26 which now meshes with wheel 34. In thisposition, by turning stem 1 in either direction, the arms of wheel 35turn day-star 28 to modify the day displayed.

Upon pushing stem 1 back into its pushed-in position, rod 31 is drivenby pin 6 to its upper position, as shown in FIG. I, and the clutchpinion 24 comes to engage pinion 17. The mechanism is thus returned toits initial state ready for further manipulations.

This devices thus enables correction of the day and date indications inboth directions, and is very easy to operate. Correction of the date isa relatively frequent operation, and this is achieved simply by pullingout the stem to the intermediate position and then turning it in theappropriate direction. To change the day display, the stern l is pulledfully out and then pushed back into the intermediate position and turnedin the appropriate direction.

With reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, which represent a timepiece having analarm mechanism and a dayindicator, the same or equivalent parts aredenoted by the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 to 5, but with aprime designation.

FIG. 6 shows parts of the timepiece from the rear face, with actuatingstem 1' in the pushed-in position in which winding pinion 17' isoperatively connected for rotation with stem 1'.

When stem 1' is turned in the clockwise direction, as indicated by arrowA, pinion 17' turns wheel 60 which drives a ratchet 61 of a motor springbarrel 62 driving the going train in a conventional manner. When stem 1'is turned in the counterclockwise direction, wheel 60 is shifted to theleft, disengaging with ratchet 61 and coming into engagement with aratchet 63 of an alarmspring barrel 64.

In the pushed-in position of stem 1 it is thus possible either to windthe motor spring or an alarm spring according to the direction ofrotation of stem 1'. Such a winding mechanism is well known in the art,and does not form a part of the invention.

FIG. 7 shows part of the timepiece from the front face with the stem 1'in the intermediate position obtained by pulling it out from thepushed-in or winding position of FIG. 6.

The setting device is controlled by a mechanism actuated by stem 1'.This stem 1' is provided with a groove 2' slidably receiving a stud 3 ofa setting lever 4', pivotally mounted about a pivot 5'. As before, thelever 4' carries a pin 6' which engages in any one of three recesses 8',9', 10' in a check spring ll to define three distinct angular positionof lever 4' corresponding to the pushed-in, intermediate, and pulled-outpositions of stem l.

Lever 4 also has a heel l2 cooperating with a camprofiled upper part ofa lever 13' pivotally mounted at one end about a pivot 14 and having afree end 15' which engages in the groove 16' ofa clutch pinion 24'. Thisclutch pinion 24' is slidably keyed on stem 1 and, according to itsaxial position, engages either by means of a Breguet toothing withwinding pinion 17' or, by means of a contrate toothing, with a pinion23'.

In the pushed-in position of stem I shown in FIG. 6, the Breguettoothing of clutch pinion 24' meshes with winding pinion l7', and eitherof the barrel springs may be rewound by ratchet 61 or 63 according tothe direc tion of turning of stem I.

In the intermediate position of stem 1', shown in FIG. 7, obtained bypulling it out from the pushed-in position, the contrate toothing ofclutch pinion 24', under the action of lever 13, comes to mesh withpinion 23'. Pinion 24' remains in this same position in the fullypulled-out position of stem 1, indicated in dotteddashed lines in FIG.8, and in the intermediate position obtained by pushing it in from thepulled-out position, and shown in full lines in FIG. 8.

The setting lever 4' also controls the movement of a lever 21 pivotallymounted about arbor 23a and carrying a toothed wheel 22' whichpermanently meshes with pinion 23. This movement is produced by means ofa pin 18 on heel 12' of lever 4', this pin acting against a face 2la oflever 21' when the stem 1' is withdrawn to the pulled-out position, asshown in dotted-dashed lines in FIG. 8, to bring the lever 21 to aposition in which wheel 22' meshes with a wheel 33 in the dial train ofthe timepiece. The return movement of lever 21' is limited by anabutment 20' fixed on the bottom plate and against which the lever 21'is biased by a spring 29 in the pushed-in and intermediate positions ofstem 1'. In the rest position of lever 21', wheel 22' meshes on the onehand with pinion 23' and on the other hand with a correction wheel 26.This wheel 26' is mounted to be able to move along an arcuate path,centred about the location of the axis of wheel 22' when lever 21' is inits rest position, between a position (FIG. 7) meshing with apositionaIly-fixed toothed wheel 34' and a position (FIG. 8) meshingwith a datering 27'.

To this end, wheel 26 is rotatably mounted on an arbor 30 fixed on alower end of a rod 31. This rod 31' is pivotally mounted at its upperend about a pivot 4I mounted on an arm 41a of a fork 43 pivotallymounted at 42 at the center of a widened part from which extend twospaced-apart parallel arms 43a and 43b. The angular position of fork 43is controlled by a pin 44 disposed opposite to pin 6 on lever 4. Thefork 43, rod 31' and wheel 26' can thus move between the two positionsshown in FIGS. 7 and 8, with the lower end of rod 31' guided by anarcuate groove, as before.

The timepiece also includes an alarm striker mechanism driven by barreland actuated by an alarmactuating wheel 65 cooperating with the hourswheel in the dial train in known manner. Wheel 65 has liftingprojections 65a which, when one engages in a corresponding opening inthe hours wheel at a pre-set time, cause pivoting of a lever 66 aboutits median part 67 to disengage an end 68 of lever from striker wheel 69which then actuates striker hammer 70 to ring against a striker blade71. In the pushed-in position of stem 1, hammer 70 is held by an end of72 of lever 4', and in the other positions of stem 1' hammer 70 isfreed.

The alarm-actuating wheel 65 carries a member such as a hand or discindicating the setting of the alarm which is achieved by theintermediary of wheel 34' which is permanently in mesh with wheel 65.

In operation, in the pushed-in position of stem 1' the barrels 62 and 64may be rewound by rotating stem 1',

as previously described (FIG. 6). FIG. 7 shows, in dotted-dashed lines,the position of levers 4' and I3 in this pushed-in position in whichclutch pinion 24' meshes with winding pinion 17' and hence only windingcan be carried out. Also, the end 72 of lever 4 locks the striker hammer70.

Pin 44 is in contact with arms 43a of fork 43 which is in the raisedposition, i.e., with rod 31' lowered and wheel 26 meshing on the onehand with wheel 22' and on the other hand with wheel 34'.

In the intermediate position shown in full lines in FIG. 7 and obtainedby pulling out stem 1', clutch pinion 24' has moved down under theaction of the end I5 of lever I3 to mesh by its contrate toothing withwheel 23'. Thus upon turning stem 1', the alarm actuating wheel 65 isrotated via wheels 23', 22', 26' and 34' whereby the alarm can be set ata chosen hour.

Upon pulling out of the stem 1 from the pushed-in to the intermediateposition, fork 43 does not tip, but pin 44 comes to contact arm 43b.Also, the end 72 of lever 4 moves out of engagement with the strikerhammer 70.

If the stem 1 is left in this intermediate position, the alarm willsound at the indicated time; the alarm can then be stopped by replacingstem 1' in the pushed-in position.

In the fully pulled-out position, shown in dotted dashed lines in FIG.8, lever 21' has tilted under the action of pin 18' and moves wheel 22'out of engagement with wheel 26' and into engagement with the dial-trainwheel 33. Setting of the time can then be carried out by rotating stem1'.

During movement from the first" intermediate to the pulled-out position,fork 43 tips under the action of pin 44 on arm 43!), which raises rod31' so that wheel 26 comes to engage with the wheel of a correctingmember 27'a.

When stem 1 is pushed back into the intermediate position, the parts arepositioned as shown in full lines in FIG. 8. Lever 21' and wheel 22 havemoved back to the rest position under the action of spring 29', andwheel 22' once more meshes with wheel 26' which is in engagement withthe wheel of member 27a. Upon turning the stem 1' in either direction,member 27'a is thus turned to set the date ring 27' backwards orforwards.

Finally, when the stem is returned to the pushed-in position, themechanism moves back to the initial winding position.

As a variation of this embodiment, the stationary wheel 34' could drive,by means of pawls or breguet toothing, two coaxial wheels one of whichwould unidirectionally drive the alarm actuating wheel 65 for onedirection of rotation of stem 1', and the other of which wouldunidirectionally drive a day-star setting member for the other directionof rotation of the stem 1'.

The third embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and I0 is a timepiece providedwith a device for setting the rate of running thereof, FIG. 9 being apartial plan view with the actuating stem in the intermediate positionobtained by pushing it in from the pulled-out position. Parts identicalto parts of the first embodiment are designated by the same referencenumerals with a double prime indication.

The device for setting the rate of running of the timepiece iscontrolled by a mechanism actuated by stem 1" which, as before, isprovided with a groove 2" slidably receiving a stud 3" of a settinglever 4", pivotally mounted about a pivot 5". The lever 4" carries a pin6" which engages in any one of three recesses 8", 9", 10" in a checkspring 11' to define three distinct angular position of lever 4"corresponding to the pushed-in, intermediate and pulled-out positions ofstem 1''.

Lever 4" also has a heel 12" cooperating with a camprofiled upper partof a lever 13" pivotally mounted at one end about a pivot l4" and havinga free end 15" which engages in the groove 16" of a clutch pinion 24".This clutch pinion 24" is slidably keyed on stem 1" and, according toits axial position, engage either by means of a Breguet toothing with awinding pinion 17" freely rotatably mounted on stem 1" or, by means of acontrate toothing, with a pinion 23".

ln the pushed-in position of stem 1" the Breguet toothing of clutchpinion 24" meshes with winding pinion 17''. In the intermediate andpulled-out positions of stem 1'', the contrate toothing of clutch pinion24" meshes with a piriion 23" which is rotatably mounted on a fixedarbor 23"a screwed in the bottom plate of the timepiece movement.

The setting lever 4 also controls the movement of another lever 2t"pivotally mounted about arbor 23"a and carrying a toothed wheel 22"which permanently meshes with pinion 23". This movement is produced bymeans ofa pin 18" on the heel 12" of lever 4", this pin acting against aface 21"a of lever 21" when the stem 1" is withdrawn to the pulled-outposition, to bring the lever 21" to a position in which wheel 22" mesheswith a wheel 33" in the dial train of the timeplace. The return movementof lever 21" is limited by an abutment 20" fixed on the bottom plate andagainst which the lever 21" is biased by a spring 29" in the pushed inand intermediate positions of stem 1". In the rest position of lever21", wheel 22" meshes on the one hand with pinion 23" and on the otherhand with a correction wheel 26". This wheel 26" is mounted to be ableto move along an arcuate path, centred about the location of the axis ofwheel 22" when lever 21" is in its rest position, between a firstposition meshing with a date-ring 27" and a second position meshing witha positionally-fixed wheel 34" permanently meshing with a member 50 forsetting the rate of running of the timepiece. In the example given, thetimepiece is electronic and member 50 is a variable capacitor adapted toadjust the frequency of a quartz oscillator, not shown.

As in the first embodiment, wheel 26" is rotatably mounted on an arborfixed on a lower end of a rod 31" and guided in an arcuate slot 37".Movement of rod 31 is controlled by pin 6" of lever 4" which penetratesin an elongaged opening 32" in the upper end of rod 31". A jumper spring36 cooperates with the arbor 30" to hold the rod 31" in its upper orlower position.

In operation, in the pushed-in position of stem 1", the pin 6" of lever4" is in contact with the upper end of opening 32", and the correctionwheel 26" is in mesh with the date ring 27". The clutch pinion 24" doesnot engage with pinion 23", but with pinion 17" to enable winding; foran electronic watch the winding mechanism may of course be dispensedwith or replaced by another setting mechanism.

In the intermediate position of stem 1" obtained by pulling it out, theposition of lever 21 does not change but clutch pinion 24" comes to meshwith pinion 23" which, via wheel 22" and correction wheel 26", isoperatively connected with the date ring 27". Consequently when stem 1"is turned in either direction, the displayed date is modified.

In moving to the pulled-out position of stem 1''. the lever 21" drivenby pin 18" of lever 4" pivots against the action of spring 29" todisengage wheel 22" from correction wheel 26" and bring it into meshwith dialtrain wheel 33" so that stem l can be turned to set the timedisplayed.

During the movement to the pulled-out position, the pin 6" of lever 4"comes to contact the lower end of opening 32" and rod 31" is then moveddownwardly to move correction wheel 26" into mesh with wheel 34" drivinga wheel 51 of a member 50, the arbor 30" of rod 31" being guided alongarcuate slot 37" and rod 31" being held in this position by spring 36".

When stem 1" is pushed back into the intermediate position (FIG. 9),lever 21" is moved back by spring 29" to its rest position againstabutment 20", but wheel 26 remains in mesh with wheel 34 since the pin6" moves along opening 32" until it comes to contact the upper endthereof, this involving only a slight pivotal movement of rod 31". As aresult of this movement of lever 21", wheel 22" moves out of engagementwith wheel 33" and comes to mesh with the correction wheel 26" which nowmeshes with wheel 34'. In this position, by turning stem 1" in eitherdirection, wheel 34" is turned to set member 50 and thus modify the rateof running of the timepiece.

In the example shown, member 50 is a variable capacitor formed by arotatable armature formed by wheel 51 and a fixed armature 52, rotationof wheel 51 modifying the capacitance of the capacitor.

ln a variation, not shown, of the third embodiment, the timepiece is amechanical one with a sprung balance, and the setting member 50 is aregualtor for adjusting the frequency of the sprung balance.

In both cases, the setting member 50 carries an indicating member suchas hand 54 which moves in front of a graduated scale and thus enablesreading of the position of the member 50 to indicate a unitary value ofthe correction applied to the rate of running.

Upon pushing stem 1" back into its pushed-in position, rod 31" is drivenby pin 6" to its upper position and the mechanism is returned to itsinitial state ready for further manipulations.

The armature wheel 51 of the capacitor may, as shown, carry one or twoplates 53 of a ceramic with a high dielectric coefficient in a manner toprovide a capacitor of given volume with an increased capacitance. Also,it is possible to choose plates 53 of ceramic which enable a correctionof the variations in frequency due to changes in temperature, byproviding a compensating variation of the dielectric coefficient of theplates 53.

The described device enables both positive and negative corrections tothe rate of running of the timepiece, i.e., either to speed it up orslow it down. Moreover, it is simple and convenient to manipulate. Also,correction of the date is a relatively more frequent operation, and thiscan be achieved simply by pulling out the actuating stem to theintermediate position and then turning it. To correct the rate ofrunning, the actuating stem is pulled fully out, then pushed back in tothe intermediate position and turned in the appropriate direction,

this correction generally taking place after having set the timedisplayed in the pulled-out position.

Numerous variations of the described embodiments are possible. Forexample, the rod 31 could be replaced by a slide carrying out the samefunctions.

In another possible variation, a first lever could be linked with theclutch pinion to have upper, intermediate and lower positionscorresponding to the pushed-in, intermediate and pulled-out positions ofthe stem. When this lever moves from the intermediate to the lowerposition, it could actuate a second lever or a slide carrying acorrection wheel and having an analogous function to rod 31.

in yet another variation, one of the members set in the intermediateposition, for example the day-star of the first embodiment, could bereplaced by an hour hand or other hour indicator whose angular positioncan be modified, in the intermediate position of the actuating stem, bysteps of one hour, for example when the user moves from one time zone toanother.

In the foregoing description, the term actuating stem" should be takenin a broad sense and is not limited to the winding stems or crowns asmet in mechanical watches. For example. in an electronic watch, thepushed-in position of the actuating stem could correspond to normalrunning, and the pulled-out position could be a position for setting thetime and in which the supply circuit of the watch is cut to stop runningof the watch for example to allow storage of the watch by retailerswithout running down the battery. The interme diate position would bereserved for the setting of auxil iary indicating members.

What is claimed is:

l. in a timepiece including a plurality of indicating members and adevice for setting the indications of said members, said devicecomprising a manually operable rotatable and axially displaceableactuating stem, and means for defining three discrete axial positions ofthe stem namely a pushed-in position, an intermediate position in whichthe stem is operatively connected with at least one indicating memberfor actuation thereof by rotation of the stem, and a pulled-outposition, the improvement comprising means for selectively operativelyconnecting said stem in said intermediate position with a firstindicating member in response to pulling out of the stem from thepushed-in position to the intermediate position and with a secondindicating member in response to pushing in of the stem from thepulled-out position to the intermediate position.

2. A timepiece according to claim 1, in which one of said first andsecond indicating members is a dateindicating member and the other ofsaid first and second members is a day-indicating member.

3. A timepiece according to claim 1, comprising an alarm mechanism, inwhich one of said first and second indicating members is a memberindicating the setting of the alarm mechanism.

4. A timepiece according to claim 3, in which the other of said firstand second members is a dateindicating member.

5. A timepiece according to claim 1, comprising a mechanism foradjusting the rate of running of the watch, in which one of said firstand second indicating members is a member for indicating the setting ofsaid adjusting mechanism.

6. A timepiece according to claim 5, in which the other of said firstand second members is a dateindicating member.

7. A timepiece according to claim 1, in which said means comprise acorrection wheel movable between a first position in which it isoperatively connected with said first indicating member and a secondposition in which it is operatively connected witn said secondindicating member, means for moving said correction wheel from its firstto its second position in response to pulling of the stem from theintermediate position to the pulled-out position and from its second toits first position in response to pushing in of the stem from theintermediate position to the pushed-in position, and means foroperatively connecting the stem with said correction wheel solely in theintermediate position of the stem.

8. A timepiece according to claim 7, in which said means for moving thecorrection wheel include a pivotally mounted first lever (4) and meansconnecting said first lever to the stem for providing pivotal movementof said first lever between three positions corresponding to thepushed-in, intermediate and pulled-out positions of the stem; andfurther comprising:

a first toothed wheel (23) rotatably mounted about a clutch pinionmounted on said stem;

means including said first lever and said clutch pinion for operativelyconnecting the stem with said first toothed wheel in the intermediateand pulled-out positions of the stem;

a second lever (21) pivotally mounted about said first fixed axis;

a second toothed wheel (22) rotatably mounted on said second lever andmeshing permanently with said first toothed wheel;

said second lever being movable between a first position in which saidsecond toothed wheel meshes with said correcting wheel and a secondposition in which said second toothed wheel is operatively connectedwith a third indicating member;

means for biasing the second lever from its second position towards itsfirst position;

and means (18) on said first lever for moving the second lever from itsfirst to its second position in response to pulling out of the stem fromits intermediate to its pulled-out position.

9. A timepiece according to claim 7, in which the means for moving saidcorrection wheel include a bar having first and second ends, means formounting the correction wheel at the first end of the bar, means forguiding the first end of the bar for movement between the first andsecond positions of the correction wheel, a pivotably mounted firstlever (4), means connecting said first lever to the stem for providingpivotal movement of said first lever between three positionscorresponding to the pushed-in. intermediate and pulled-out positions ofthe stern, and means for connecting said first lever with play to thesecond end of the bar.

10. A timepiece according to claim 9, comprising means defining anelongated opening in the bar adjacent said second end, and a pin on saidfirst lever slidably engaged in said opening.

11. A timepiece according to claim 9, comprising a fork having a firstarm terminated with a widened part and two spaced-apart generallyparallel second arms extending from said widened part, means forpivotally mounting the fork centrally of said widened part, means forpivotally connecting said first arm of the fork to said second end ofthe bar, and a pin on said first lever disposed with play between saidsecond arms of the fork.

l2. A timepiece according to claim 9. comprising: a first toothed wheel(23) rotatably mounted about a first fixed axis; a clutch pinion mountedon said stem; means including said first lever and said clutch pinionfor operatively connecting the stem with said first toothed wheel in theintermediate and pulled-out positions of the stem; a second lever (21)pivotally-mounted about said first fixed axis. a second toothed wheel(22) rotatably mounted on said second lever and meshing permanently withsaid first toothed wheel;

said second lever being movable between a first position in which saidsecond toothed wheel meshes with said correcting wheel and a secondposition in which said second toothed wheel is operatively connectedwith a third indicating member;

means for biasing the second lever from its second position towards itsfirst position;

and means 18) on said first lever for moving the second lever from itsfirst to its second position in re' sponse to pulling out of the stemfrom its intermediate to its pulled-out position.

13. A timepiece according to claim 12, in which said means for guidingsaid first end of the bar include means defining an arcuate path of theaxis of the correction wheel centred about the location of the axis ofsaid second toothed wheel when said second lever is in its firstposition.

1. In a timepiece including a plurality of indicating members and adevice for setting the indications of said members, said devicecomprising a manually operable rotatable and axially displaceableactuating stem, and means for defining three discrete axial positions ofthe stem namely a pushed-in position, an intermediate position in whichthe stem is operatively connected with at least one indicating memberfor actuation thereof by rotation of the stem, and a pulled-outposition, the improvement comprising means for selectively operativelyconnecting said stem in said intermediate position with a firstindicating member in response to pulling out of the stem from thepushed-in position to the intermediate position and with a secondindicating member in response to pushing in of the stem from thepulled-out position to the intermediate position.
 2. A timepieceaccording to claim 1, in which onE of said first and second indicatingmembers is a date-indicating member and the other of said first andsecond members is a day-indicating member.
 3. A timepiece according toclaim 1, comprising an alarm mechanism, in which one of said first andsecond indicating members is a member indicating the setting of thealarm mechanism.
 4. A timepiece according to claim 3, in which the otherof said first and second members is a date-indicating member.
 5. Atimepiece according to claim 1, comprising a mechanism for adjusting therate of running of the watch, in which one of said first and secondindicating members is a member for indicating the setting of saidadjusting mechanism.
 6. A timepiece according to claim 5, in which theother of said first and second members is a date-indicating member.
 7. Atimepiece according to claim 1, in which said means comprise acorrection wheel movable between a first position in which it isoperatively connected with said first indicating member and a secondposition in which it is operatively connected witn said secondindicating member, means for moving said correction wheel from its firstto its second position in response to pulling of the stem from theintermediate position to the pulled-out position and from its second toits first position in response to pushing in of the stem from theintermediate position to the pushed-in position, and means foroperatively connecting the stem with said correction wheel solely in theintermediate position of the stem.
 8. A timepiece according to claim 7,in which said means for moving the correction wheel include a pivotallymounted first lever (4) and means connecting said first lever to thestem for providing pivotal movement of said first lever between threepositions corresponding to the pushed-in, intermediate and pulled-outpositions of the stem; and further comprising: a first toothed wheel(23) rotatably mounted about a first fixed axis; a clutch pinion mountedon said stem; means including said first lever and said clutch pinionfor operatively connecting the stem with said first toothed wheel in theintermediate and pulled-out positions of the stem; a second lever (21)pivotally mounted about said first fixed axis; a second toothed wheel(22) rotatably mounted on said second lever and meshing permanently withsaid first toothed wheel; said second lever being movable between afirst position in which said second toothed wheel meshes with saidcorrecting wheel and a second position in which said second toothedwheel is operatively connected with a third indicating member; means forbiasing the second lever from its second position towards its firstposition; and means (18) on said first lever for moving the second leverfrom its first to its second position in response to pulling out of thestem from its intermediate to its pulled-out position.
 9. A timepieceaccording to claim 7, in which the means for moving said correctionwheel include a bar having first and second ends, means for mounting thecorrection wheel at the first end of the bar, means for guiding thefirst end of the bar for movement between the first and second positionsof the correction wheel, a pivotably mounted first lever (4), meansconnecting said first lever to the stem for providing pivotal movementof said first lever between three positions corresponding to thepushed-in, intermediate and pulled-out positions of the stem, and meansfor connecting said first lever with play to the second end of the bar.10. A timepiece according to claim 9, comprising means defining anelongated opening in the bar adjacent said second end, and a pin on saidfirst lever slidably engaged in said opening.
 11. A timepiece accordingto claim 9, comprising a fork having a first arm terminated with awidened part and two spaced-apart generally parallel second armsextending from said widened part, means for pivotally mounting the forkcentrally of said widened part, means for piVotally connecting saidfirst arm of the fork to said second end of the bar, and a pin on saidfirst lever disposed with play between said second arms of the fork. 12.A timepiece according to claim 9, comprising: a first toothed wheel (23)rotatably mounted about a first fixed axis; a clutch pinion mounted onsaid stem; means including said first lever and said clutch pinion foroperatively connecting the stem with said first toothed wheel in theintermediate and pulled-out positions of the stem; a second lever (21)pivotally-mounted about said first fixed axis. a second toothed wheel(22) rotatably mounted on said second lever and meshing permanently withsaid first toothed wheel; said second lever being movable between afirst position in which said second toothed wheel meshes with saidcorrecting wheel and a second position in which said second toothedwheel is operatively connected with a third indicating member; means forbiasing the second lever from its second position towards its firstposition; and means (18) on said first lever for moving the secondleverfrom its first to its second position in response to pulling out ofthe stem from its intermediate to its pulled-out position.
 13. Atimepiece according to claim 12, in which said means for guiding saidfirst end of the bar include means defining an arcuate path of the axisof the correction wheel centred about the location of the axis of saidsecond toothed wheel when said second lever is in its first position.